Zulu

Tribe of
South
Africa
Presented By: Group 3
 Zulu
Tribe

Source: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=09v9kZdB&id=8443D09F4A8CB9653A1EE6E154FCDE0E6E7CA0B5&thid=OIP.09v9kZdB_cniajHBArNU5wHaE5&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fnetstorage-briefly.akamaized.net%2fimages
%2fad5ee368c23f6287.jpg&exph=446&expw=674&q=zulu+tribe+&simid=608005603505081850&ck=011EE9A93D44CFA5D0B285024807C04E&selectedIndex=7&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0
 The Zulu of South Africa
The Zulu people are the largest and widely
known ethnic group in South Africa.

The Zulu rose into a formidable empire under the

leadership of Shaka in the early 19th century.
Source: https://www.demandafrica.com/travel/culture/a-guide-to-zulu-culture-traditions-and-cuisine/#:~:text=Zulu
%20cuisine.%20The%20cuisine%20of%20the%20Zulu%20tribe,are%20only%20slaughtered%20as%20sacrifice
%20on%20special%20occasions. The men and herd boys are primarily responsible
for the cows, which are grazed in the open
country, while the women do most, if not all, of
the planting and harvesting. The women also are
the owners of the family house

The Zulu are also renowned for their skilled

craftsmanship from earthenware pottery to
weaving but most notably their beadwork.
Source: https://www.africanbudgetsafaris.com/blog/african-tribes-african-culture-and-
african-traditions/
 ZULU 4

CULTURE
 Traditional Tribal Clothing Customs
For everyday use, modern and
westernized clothing is worn, and
women dress differently to indicate
their marital status.

The traditional attire for men is

umqhele (warrior's headband) ,
amambatha to put over the
shoulders, ibheshu (acts as a trouser)
around the waist, umcedo (used as
underwear) to cover the genitalia,
and imbadada for his foot.

The traditional clothing is only worn

during cultural gatherings, Shaka’s
day and any other special occasions
and as such, is treated with respect
and honor.
Source: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_zulu.html
 Zulu Weddings and Celebrations

Zulu Tribe celebrates Shaka’s

day annually.

In their wedding ceremony, it

can take varying forms.

One of the highlights of a Zulu

Wedding is through the medium
of Zulu dance and songs.

Source: https://buzzsouthafrica.com/zulu-tribe/
 Zulu
Language
●It is a Bantu Language that spoken
by over 9 million people in South
Africa.
●It is Dominant in the province of
Zululand area of Kwazulu/Natal.
●It is the home language of South
African people.
●It is an easily and widespread
tongue.
●Most of the Zulu words end in a
vowel.

Source: https://www.sa-venues.com/language-zulu.htm
https://www.britannica.com/art/Bantu-languages
●BURIALS- they believe that the life doesn’t
end with death but continues with the
Religious
spiritual world. Beliefs of the Zulu Tribe
●ANCESTOR WORSHIP- believed to live in
the spirit world unKulunkulu (the greatest of
the great) and are regarded as
intermediaries between the living and the
spirit world and they work hand in hand with
God.
●Most of them regard themselves as
Christians predominantly belonging to the
African Initiated Churches alongside
European branches such as the Dutch
Reformed, Anglican and Catholic churches.
However, other Zulu people retain traditional
beliefs which pre-date their conversion to Source: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_zulu.html
https://www.future-trans.com/africa-news/facts-about-zulu-culture-language-people/

Christianity, and instead favor the worship of

ancestors.
 Zulu Cuisine
Traditional Food
The cuisine of the Zulu tribe
mirrors their rich history and
culture.
Zulu culinary are mainly vegetarian
dishes that predominantly consists
of vegetables and grain.
Traditional Zulus eat with wooden
bowls and spoons. Before meals,
hands are washed and after meals
mouths are rinsed.
Source: http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_zulu.html
Traditional Beverages
Amazi, fermented milk, is
considered a delicacy and may only
be shared with family members.
The milk is curdled in a gourd and
the whey contents are removed. The
taste is described as a mix of
cottage cheese and plain yogurt.
Zulus believes that amazi makes
men strong.
Maize and sorghum (grain plant)
are soaked in water for a day. The
content is then boiled with dry
sorghum and set to cool of.
 Zulu Economy

The Zulu economy depended for many

years on livestock and crops.

Many members of Zulu households

earn a living by working in the
surrounding cities and smaller towns,
though few engage in large-scale
commercial activities.

By tradition, the Zulu people took part

in hunting, and the women made
cooking and storing pots which were
sold and traded, as well as weaving Source: https://www.future-trans.com/africa-news/facts-about-zulu-culture-language-people/
industrial arts such as baskets and mats
Venus has a beautiful
for commercial sale. name, but it’s terribly hot
 Zulu
Warriors
and Dances
 Zulu Warriors
• Disputes between men
How the Zulus
within the tribe are fought the British
publicly addressed
through stick fighting. • The Anglo-Zulu War of
1879 was one of the many
examples of British
imperialism in the 19th
Century. The Empire was
ever expanding and the Zulu
lands of South Africa were
next on the agenda. Here we
have a closer look at the
Zulu warrior.
Organization

• A Zulu warrior would

join this part-time
militia between the
ages of 19 and 40.
 Shield
• There were actually five
• Also, contrary to popular
Weapons types of Zulu shield but the
• The iconic Zulu belief, the Zulus did wield
most popular was the
weapons were a firearms. Although not
Isihlangu, a 1.5m (5ft)
stabbing spear and a highly trained, 60 per cent
battle shield. Made out of
of warriors carried a rifle,
throwing spear. cowhide, they were tough
which they acquired
and durable but fared less
through trading.
well against colonial rifles

Source: Tropenmuseum of the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT)

 Tactics

• A Zulu regiment was known as

a Amabutho. The preferred
tactic of the Zulus was the
‘Buffalo Horn’ that would
attempt to encircle the enemy
by using flank tactics. A
example of this tactic can be
seen below. The enemy is in
red.
Dances
Expressiveness, power and exuberance are hallmarks of dances from South Africa. Characteristic at South African Zulu dance is
rhythmic and legs and feet work and smooth hip movements.
 Types of dance

•Ingoma (isizingili)" is performed by boys and girls only accompanied by singing (no drums).

• Ingoma (ishishameni)" the boys and girls dance separately. A group claps while the other dances.
•"Indlamu" is the dance that is most associated with Zulu culture. It is derived from the war dances.
•"Imvunulo" is a solo dance to show off the traditional attire, with the dancer showing by what she
wears her marital status or desire to become pregnant.
•"Isicathamiya" is performed by men and boys in a line or arc, and accompanied by a ballad singer.

• Drums are an essential part of Zulu celebrations and it is

always accompanied by dancing and chanting.
• The ingungu drum is made of goatskin, that has been
cleaned and stripped from its hair, and a black clay pot.
To play it you have to position a flattened piece of reed on
the drum and vibrate it with both hands.

• There are a number of dances in Zulu culture that

celebrates different areas of life.

• The hunting dance

Sources:
• The dance of the small shield http://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_zulu.html
https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/history-of-war/zulu-warriors/
https://dancefans.cultu.be/zulu-dance